£367

24 backers

28 days

Project by

Project aim

Help us get to Frankfurt to support Federico Annibale, during the day of his trial, after his arrest during an anti-austerity demo.

About the project

A SOAS student has been detained in Pre-Trial detention in Frankfurt since 10:30am Wednesday 18th of March awaiting trial set on 3rd of June. His name is Federico Annibale, a much loved masters student at SOAS and an active member of the students union. Federico is one of us, and he could be ANY of us. As an Italian student he knows all too well the affects of austerity on Eurozone countries and Britain. He travelled to Frankfurt with many others like him to challenge such economic injustice and we should not shy away from the politics of his arrest.

Over 300 people were arrested, while many more suffered injury through the liberal use of batons, tear gas and water cannons by the police.Both the manner of Federico’s arrest and his subsequent detention, have raised continued concerns over the treatment of his case. What is perhaps most disconcerting is the isolation of Federico’s case, through which he is being made a summary example. As the only defendant facing prolonged pre-trial detention, it seems that the harshest application of legal procedure is being reserved for Federico. Inspite of his exemplary character, and clean police record, his confinement until trial is being used as a punitive tool in itself. We fear that through this undue detention, Federico is being singled out as an external instigator.

We, the Free Fede campaigners from SOAS are raising money to go to support him during his trial on the 3rd of June in Frankfurt. The money raised will help over 20 friends and supporters to cover the costs of flights from London to Frankfurt.